Plans to raze Winter Park Best Western get sidelined

Plans to demolish the Best Western on Orlando Avenue in Winter Park appear to be off for now.

The site across the street from the construction site for a Trader Joe's grocery store has become an attractive opportunity for developers.

An affiliate of Orlando-based CNL Financial Group Inc had a contract last year to purchase the property, also home to the long-running Red Fox Lounge. A spokeswoman for the financial group said Tuesday the contract is no longer valid.

Rick Frazee, the longtime owner/operator of the hotel, was unavailable Tuesday. Last year he told employees the property would be torn down. Winter Park officials said it was being considered for a mixed-use project with retail, residential and offices.

The 147-unit hotel last sold in 1988 for $292,000. It has been open since 1949 and was the long-running home of the Mark Wayne and Lorna Lambey lounge act. In recent years, it has also served as headquarters of the Florida Film Festival.